"My lord!" Ero burst forward to his master almost in tears, his voice breaking as he tried to lift him.
His hands trembled as he reached for him, but Ashen smacked them away with a grunt.
His mother had left a few minutes ago only when she was satisfied with the punishment. The punishment isn't what broke him but the fact that his mother detests him so much.
"Don't," Ashen rasped, forcing his arms to bear weight.
His body trembled under his own strength, his legs buckling beneath him as though the bones themselves had forgotten how to hold him.
He managed to rise an inch, before he fell back onto the cold floor.
"My lord, you.." Ero's voice wavered.
"I said you shouldn't! Don't piss me off!" Ashen held rage despite the blood seeping down his back, pooling into the ground beneath him.
"I protected my own. That is all that matters." Ero's eyes burned, but he pressed his head low to the floor in obedience.
